BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.H.B. 2970
89R22228 JTZ-D	By: Paul et al. (Middleton)
	Natural Resources
	5/7/2025
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Project (CTPR) is aimed at reducing risks to public health and the economy, restoring critical ecosystems, and advancing coastal resiliency. The goal of the CTPR project is to manage coastal storm risk with a defense strategy along the Texas Gulf Coast, while maintaining future economic growth. �

As the CTPR is advancing, it is critical that the project design does not compromise navigation safety or negatively impact two-way traffic vessel movement, anchorages, supplychain logistics or federal, state, or local economies. To ensure this, the Houston Pilots at San Jacinto College Maritime Technology Center conducted a research study to evaluate maritime implications for commercial ship transits through the channel under the proposed project design. The recommendation was that the gate complex location and design must be engineered and constructed to accommodate future growth of a wider and deeper channel, enabling continued growth in commerce for years to come. C.S.H.B. 2970 seeks to accomplish these goals by clarifying that the implementation of a Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD) project shall not compromise navigation safety or two-way traffic vessel movement in a way that violates a rule adopted by the board of pilot commissioners for the ports of Harris County (Subchapter B, Chapter 66, Transportation Code). C.S.H.B. 2970 also permits the governor to appoint the GCPD presiding officer from among the board members.

C.S.H.B. 2970 amends current law relating to the management and operation of the Gulf Coast Protection District.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 9502.0201(i), Special District Local Laws Code, to require the governor to appoint, rather than the board of directors to elect, a presiding officer from among the directors to serve in that position for two years.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 9502.0301, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Subsection (f), as follows:

(f) Prohibits implementation of a project described by Subsection (a) (relating to authorizing the Gulf Coast Protection District to establish certain projects and perform certain actions) from disrupting navigation safety or two-way traffic, as defined by Section 66.0172 (Efficient Pilot Service; Maximum Vessel Length), Transportation Code, in a manner that violates a rule adopted by the board of pilot commissioners for the ports of Harris County under Chapter 66 (Houston Pilots Licensing and Regulatory Act), Transportation Code.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.